Device and method of using volatile organic compounds that affect mood, emotion or a physiological state

ABSTRACT

The present invention includes an apparatus and method for aiding mood, emotion, or physiological state comprising: a substrate that is capable of capturing or absorbing one or more organic compounds from a subject having a first physiologic or emotional state at a first time; and an element that is capable of controlling the capture of the one or more organic compounds at a first time, or the release of the one or more organic compounds from the substrate at a second time, wherein exposure to an effective amount of the organic compounds changes the mood, emotion, or physiological state of the subject.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/380,074, filed Dec. 15, 2016, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/268,888, filed Dec. 17, 2015, thecontents of which are incorporated by reference herein in theirentireties.

FIELD

The present invention relates in general to the field of compositionsthat effect mood, emotion or a physical state, and more particularly, tonovel devices and methods for using volatile organic compounds to alteror affect mood, emotion or a physiologic state.

BACKGROUND

Without limiting the scope of the invention, its background is describedin connection with volatile organic compounds.

The related art shows that certain compounds are known to cause subtlechanges in human behavior. For example, Miller and Maner, in an articleentitled “Scent of a Woman: Men's Testosterone Responses to OlfactoryOvulation Cues” Psychological Science 21(2) 276-283, teach that usingt-shirts under certain conditions (ovulation, nonovulation and control)that “ovulatory cues are detectable via chemosensory signaling and,moreover, that these cues are linked with functionally relevantendocrinological responses in men.”

Preti, et al., in an article entitled “Male Axillary Extracts ContainPheromones that Affect Pulsatile Secretion of Luteinizing Hormone andMood in Women Recipients”, Biology of Reproduction, Vol. 68, No. 6,2107-2113 (Jun. 1, 2003), teach that human underarm secretions alter thelength and timing of the menstrual cycle when applied to womenrecipients.

Geltsein, et al., in an article entitled “Human Tears Contain aChemosignal,” Science, Vol. 331, 226-230 (Jan. 14, 2011), show thattears contain a chemosignal as shown by looking a brain scans usingfunctional magnetic resonance imaging of stimulated males and sniffingat tears or saline, which found that males sniffing the tears of femalesdecreased sexual arousal. However, these authors expressly leave openthe questions of “What is the identity of the active compound/s intears? Do chemosignals in women s tears signal anything else but sexualdisinterest, and is this signaling restricted to emotional tears alone?Moreover, could the emotional or hormonal state (menstrual phase/oralcontraceptives) of the crier/experimenter influence the outcome? Inturn, what if any are the signals in men's tears . . . or children'stears, and what are the effects of all these within, rather than across,gender?” Id. at 230.

Kwak, et al., in an article entitled “In search of the chemical basisfor MHC odourtypes”, Proc. R. Soc. B 2010 277, 2417-2425 (Mar. 31,2010), teach that “Mice can discriminate between chemosignals ofindividuals based solely on genetic differences confined to the majorhistocompatibility complex (MHC).” Abstract. However, these authorsconclude that “Regardless of what approach is used to focus onMHC-related odourants, their structural identification would stillrequire isolation from the urine matrix, which, as described above, issubject to various errors.” Id. at 2425.

Albrecht, et al., in an article entitled “Smelling Chemosensory Signalsof Males in Anxious Versus Nonanxious Condition Increases State Anxietyof Female Subjects”, Chem. Senses 36: 19-27, 2011, find that “humans inan anxious state compared with a nonanxious state are able to increaseanxiety levels in other humans via their body odors” when studying sweatdonation. Abstract. However, these authors state that it is not clearwhich secretions may have been responsible for the effects found, andthat further research is required to obtain a deeper insight into brainfunction. Id. at 25-26.

Yet another study looking at underarm odors, by Chen and Haviland-Jones,entitled “Rapid Mood Change and Human Odors”, Physiology & Behavior 68(1999) 241-250, collected underarm odors from women and men at differentstages (prepubertal, college, and older) to determine changes indepressive mood. It was found that odors could modulate the moods ofother humans, with a greater reduction in depressive mood observed whensmelling the odor from older women and adults. Id. at 248.

Vaglio in an article entitled, “Chemical communication and mother-infantrecognition”, Communicative & Integrative Biology 2:3, 279-281; May/June2009, reviewing the literature relating to pheromones states that “Fiftyyears after the term pheromone was coined by Peter Karlson and MartinLusher the search for these semiochemicals is still an elusive goal ofchemical ecology and communication studies.” Id. at 279.

Stern and McClintock, in an article entitled, “Regulation of ovulationby human pheromones”, Nature, Vol. 392, 177-179, 12 Mar. 1998, statethat their findings suggest that “These data demonstrate that humanshave the potential to communicate pheromonally.” Id. at 178.

Shirasu and Touhara, in an article entitled “The scent of disease:volatile organic compounds of the human body related to disease anddisorder” J. Biochem. 2011; 150(3):257-266, Jul. 19, 2011, review theliterature as relates to disease conditions and volatiles obtained frombreath, sweat, skin and body odor, and both disease conditions andinfectious disease. Likewise, Peled, et al., in an article entitled“Volatile fingerprints of cancer specific genetic mutations”,Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology, and Medicine (2013) 758-766, lookat patterns in volatile organic compounds emitted from cell membranes oflung cancer cells. Kwak, et al., in an article entitled “Volatilebiomarkers from human melanoma cells”, Journal of Chromatography B, 931(2013) 90-96, look at volatile biomarkers from human melanoma cells.Hanai, et al., “Analysis of volatile organic compounds released fromhuman lung cancer cells and from the urine of tumor-bearing mice”,Cancer Cell International 2012, 12:7, look at volatile organic compoundsin mouse urine. Finally, Dummer, et al., “Analysis of biogenic volatileorganic compounds in human health and disease”, Trends in AnalyticalChemistry, Vol. 30, No. 7, Nov. 7, 2011, summarize the literature withregard to biogenic volatile organic compounds and biomarkers forunderlying disease conditions.

SUMMARY

Despite all these advances, a need remains for a simple, rapid way ofusing various observations related to pheromones to benefit the humancondition.

In one embodiment, the present invention includes an apparatus foraiding mood, emotion, or physiological state comprising: a substratethat is capable of capturing or absorbing one or more organic compoundsfrom a subject having a first physiologic or emotional state at a firsttime; and an element that is capable of controlling the capture of theone or more organic compounds at a first time, or the release of the oneor more organic compounds from the substrate at a second time, whereinexposure to an effective amount of the organic compounds changes themood, emotion, or physiological state of the subject. In one aspect, theelement is a solvent, or a heating or cooling element that is capable ofcontrolling the capture of the one or more organic compounds at a firsttime, or the release of the one or more organic compounds from thesubstrate at a second time. In one aspect, the one or more organiccompounds from the subject having a first physiologic or emotional stateare released from the subject at or about body temperature. In anotheraspect, the physiologic or emotional state is selected from at least oneof ovulation, lactation, working out, sports activity, sexual activity,a wedding, a christening, a party, a business trip, a vacation, rockclimbing, sky diving, roller coasters, bungee or cliff jumping. Inanother aspect, the one or more organic compounds are volatile organiccompounds. In another aspect, the wherein the one or more organiccompounds are selected from at least one or more sex pheromones, alarmpheromones, modulator pheromones, trail pheromones or signature odors.In another aspect, the subject is a human. In another aspect, thesubstrate can be reused. In another aspect, the substrate is positionedon or about the skin at the first time for sufficient time to capturethe one or more organic compounds in an amount sufficient to benoticeable in the immediate surrounding of the subject upon release fromthe substrate. In another aspect, the substrate is selected from acarbon strip, a natural fiber, a synthetic fiber, a cellulose, apolymer, a carbon impregnated fiber, a mesh, a filter, a solid-phasemicroextraction fiber, a dried leaf or lichen, or a cotton gauze. Inanother aspect, the apparatus further comprises a housing comprising astorage area for the substrate, a power source, a heating or coolingelement controller, a sprayer, an atomizer, a perfume or cologne, one ormore fragrances, oils, or solvents, a propellant, a vaporizer, or a fan.In another aspect, the one or more organic compounds are released by orwith a fragrance, oil, cream, lotion, shampoo, or solvent from thesubstrate. In another aspect, two or more substrates comprising organiccompounds obtained from different moods, emotions, or physiologic statesare combined prior to release. In another aspect, the two or moresubstrates comprising organic compounds obtained from the same mood,emotion, or physiologic state are combined prior to release.

Another embodiment of the present invention includes a method for aidingmood, emotion, or physiological state comprising: capturing one or moreorganic compounds from a subject having a first physiologic or emotionalstate at a first time on a substrate that is capable of capturing orabsorbing the one or more organic compounds; and releasing the one ormore organic compounds from the substrate at a second time at or about asubject in need of aiding the mood, emotion, or physiological state bysmelling the one or more organic compounds associated with the mood,emotion, or physiological state. In one aspect, the step of capturing isdefined further as capturing the one or more organic compounds releasedby the subject at or about body temperature. In another aspect, the stepof capturing is conducted during a specific physiologic or emotionalstate in the subject, wherein the physiologic or emotional state isselected from at least one of ovulation, lactation, working out, sportsactivity, sexual activity, a wedding, a christening, a party, a businesstrip, a vacation, rock climbing, sky diving, roller coasters, bungee orcliff jumping. In another aspect, the one or more organic compounds arevolatile organic compounds. In another aspect, the one or more organiccompounds are selected from at least one or more sex pheromones, alarmpheromones, modulator pheromones, trail pheromones or signature odors.In another aspect, the subject is a human. In another aspect, thesubstrate can be reused. In another aspect, the substrate is positionedon or about the skin at the first time for sufficient time to capturethe one or more organic compounds in an amount sufficient to benoticeable in the immediate surrounding of the subject upon release fromthe substrate. In another aspect, the substrate is selected from acarbon strip, a natural fiber, a synthetic fiber, a cellulose, apolymer, a carbon impregnated fiber, a mesh, a filter, a solid-phasemicroextraction fiber, a dried leaf or lichen, or a cotton gauze. Inanother aspect, an apparatus for use in the method is defined further ascomprising a housing comprising a storage area for the substrate, apower source, a heating or cooling element controller, a sprayer, anatomizer, a perfume or cologne, one or more fragrances, oils, orsolvents, a propellant, a vaporizer, or a fan. In another aspect, theone or more organic compounds are released by or with a fragrance, oil,cream, lotion, shampoo, or solvent. In another aspect, the one or moreorganic compounds from two or more subjects are captured concurrently.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention includes a method ofdetermining the performance of one or more organic compounds that aid ina mood, an emotion, or a physiological state, the method comprising: a)measuring the levels of partial or total organic compounds from asubject under normal physiological conditions at a first time; b)capturing partial or total organic compounds on a substrate from thesubject under different physiological conditions at a second time; c)exposing a first subset of subjects to the partial or total organiccompounds from a subject under normal physiological conditions at afirst time, and a second subset of the subjects to the partial or totalorganic compounds on a substrate from the subject under differentphysiological conditions at a second time; and d) determining if the tothe partial or total organic compounds on a substrate from the subjectunder different physiological conditions at a second time shows a changein mood, emotion or physiological state that is statisticallysignificant as compared to that of the subject exposed to the partial ortotal organic compounds from a subject under normal physiologicalconditions at a first time. In one aspect, the step of capturing thepartial or total organic compounds on a substrate from the subject underdifferent physiological conditions at a second time is conducted duringa specific physiologic or emotional state, wherein the physiologic oremotional state is selected from at least one of ovulation, lactation,working out, sports activity, sexual activity, a wedding, a christening,a party, a business trip, a vacation, rock climbing, sky diving, rollercoasters, bungee or cliff jumping. In another aspect, the one or moreorganic compounds are volatile organic compounds. In another aspect, theone or more organic compounds are selected from at least one or more sexpheromones, alarm pheromones, modulator pheromones, trail pheromones orsignature odors. In another aspect, the subject is a human. In anotheraspect, the substrate is positioned on or about the skin at the firsttime for sufficient time to capture the one or more organic compounds inan amount sufficient to be noticeable in the immediate surrounding ofthe subject upon release from the substrate. In another aspect, thesubstrate is selected from a carbon strip, a natural fiber, a syntheticfiber, a cellulose, a polymer, a carbon impregnated fiber, a mesh, afilter, a solid-phase microextraction fiber, a dried leaf or lichen, ora cotton gauze. In another aspect, an apparatus for use in the method isdefined further as comprising a housing comprising a storage area forthe substrate, a power source, a heating or cooling element controller,a sprayer, an atomizer, a perfume or cologne, one or more fragrances,oils, or solvents, a propellant, a vaporizer, or a fan. In anotheraspect, the one or more organic compounds are released by or with afragrance, oil, cream, or solvent. In another aspect, the one or moreorganic compounds from two or more subjects are captured concurrently.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention includes a substratethat is adapted to capture or absorb one or more organic compounds froma subject at or about body temperature, the subject having a firstphysiologic or emotional state at a first time, wherein the substrate isselected from a carbon strip, a natural fiber, a synthetic fiber, acellulose, a polymer, a carbon impregnated fiber, a mesh, a filter, asolid-phase microextraction fiber, a dried leaf or lichen, or a cottongauze, and the one or more organic compounds are selected from at leastone or more sex pheromones, alarm pheromones, modulator pheromones,trail pheromones or signature odors. In one aspect, the substrate isreusable. In another aspect, the one or more organic compounds arereleased from the substrate by a fragrance, oil, cream, or solvent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the features and advantages of thepresent invention, reference is now made to the detailed description ofthe invention along with the accompanying figures and in which:

FIG. 1 shows a Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS) spectra ofvolatile organic compounds (VOCs) emanating off a shirt worn by a femaleduring ovulation and illustrates the wealth of VOCs emanating off ashirt from a female during ovulation.

FIG. 2 shows a GC-MS spectra of the VOCs emanating off of a shirt wornby a subject in a neutral state before induction of fear (bottomspectrum) and after fear is induced (top spectrum) in the participant.Notice the presence of VOCs in the 24-28 minute range on the spectrum inthe fear state (top spectrum) versus a neutral state (bottom spectrum).

FIG. 3 shows two different GC-MS traces overlaid on top of each otherdemonstrating the difference in chemical composition of human tears withno stimulus (light) and when sad (dark). The biggest change is seenbetween 18 and 24 minutes in the spectra.

FIG. 4 shows a device for a solid phase microextraction (SPME) fiberthat can also be used to absorb VOCs from the body.

FIG. 5 shows a close-up picture of the white SPME fiber coming out ofthe syringe needle.

FIG. 6 shows that once the VOCs from the body are absorbed onto theactivated carbon strip, it can then be put into a small atomizer (likethe one below already containing an activated carbon strip) and a smallamount of your favorite perfume/cologne is added.

FIG. 7 shows an atomizer with the outside sleeve in which the activatedcarbon strips and the atomizer are provided together.

FIG. 8 shows different atomizers that could be used in this commercialapplication.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the making and using of various embodiments of the presentinvention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated thatthe present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts thatcan be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specificembodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways tomake and use the invention and do not delimit the scope of theinvention.

To facilitate the understanding of this invention, a number of terms aredefined below. Terms defined herein have meanings as commonly understoodby a person of ordinary skill in the areas relevant to the presentinvention. Terms such as “a”, “an” and “the” are not intended to referto only a singular entity, but include the general class of which aspecific example may be used for illustration. The terminology herein isused to describe specific embodiments of the invention, but their usagedoes not delimit the invention, except as outlined in the claims.

The present invention includes devices and methods for capturing,storing, and using volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by humansunder different physiological or emotional states. The VOCs can becaptured using different absorption media and used in order to elicit ortrigger an emotional, mood, or physiological response from those aroundthem. An additional application in regards to the burgeoning area ofmedical diagnostics is discussed. The devices and methods disclosedherein have many different applications with the potential tosignificantly improve mankind's quality of life.

While research over the past fifty years has demonstrated that livingorganisms emit a cocktail (over 200 in humans) of volatile organiccompounds (VOCs) emanating off of the surface, the use of thisinformation has been very limited. These compounds have a high vaporpressure, exhibit molecular weights under 200 amu, evaporate off of thesurface of the organism at body temperature (37° C.), and readilydisperse through the air. Certain single VOCs and collections of VOCshave been given the term of pheromone.

As used herein, the term “pheromone” refers to a VOC or cocktail of VOCsthat are secreted or excreted from one organism, transmitted through theair via diffusion, binds to a receptor target in another member of thesame species, and causes a biochemical/physiological response usuallythrough a signal transduction cascade.

As used herein, the term “substrate” refers to a solid, gel or liquid,that will capture one or more volatile organic compounds released by ahuman during a defined period of time, and that can be released fromthat substrate at a later time with a solvent, heating or cooling.Non-limiting examples of substrates include a carbon strip, a naturalfiber, a synthetic fiber, a cellulose, a polymer, a carbon impregnatedfiber, a mesh, a filter, a solid-phase microextraction fiber, a driedleaf or lichen, a cotton gauze, a lotion, an oil, a gel.

As used herein, the term “element” refers to a solvent, heating,cooling, liquid, lotion, gel, or other physical change to the substrate(e.g., exposing the substrate to a mechanical, electromechanical,magnetic, radio frequency, ultrasound, infrared, radiation, ionization,and/or electrical energy) triggers the release of the captured volatileorganic compounds, into a medium for later delivery using, e.g., anatomizer, a sprayer, a vaporizer, a fan, and the like.

There are several other classes of pheromones—a few of which are definedand specific examples given: Sex Pheromones—a VOC or cocktail of VOCssecreted from an organism (usually a female) during ovulation thatsignals time of peak fertility and attracts males of the same species.The first sex pheromone isolated and characterized was Bombykol (in1959), which is released by the female silkworm moth to attract males.It is estimated that male moths can detect this compound over five milesaway and can trace back to its origin.

Alarm Pheromones—A chemical given off by an organism during times offear/distress that cause either a fight or flight response in members ofthe same species. Most species of wasps secrete a cocktail of VOCsthrough their skin that is picked up by members of the nest, who followthe VOC signal to the origin.

Modulator Pheromones—VOCs that can alter the timing of physiologicalprocesses in another member of the same species. Several species oflivestock secrete compounds that induce synchronization of estrouscycles among female herd members.

Trail Pheromones—A volatile compound secreted and laid down on theground by one organism that other members of the same species canfollow. A majority of ant species lay down a volatile compound on theirway back to the nest to indicate they have found food. Ants in the nestfollow this trail until reaching the food. Some species of ant actuallydeposit another compound on their way back to the nest after all of thefood is gone-signaling not to follow the trail anymore.

Signature Odors—A cocktail of VOCs unique to a certain member of onespecies that, upon repeated exposure, can immediately be recognized byanother member of the same species. Several examples of this phenomenonare discussed below.

While bonafide human pheromones have not been identified in thescientific literature, there is an abundance of publications providinggood evidence that the chemical odor signature in one individual cancause a physiological response in others. For example, researchersrecently showed that testosterone levels of male subjects spiked whensmelling the shirt worn by a women during ovulation versus smelling ashirt far from ovulation. It has also been shown that smelling the shirtof a woman far from ovulation decreases testosterone levels in men.

A paper published in Science demonstrating that female tears of sadnesscontain a chemosignal that, as shown by ±MRI studies decrease sex driveand libido in men. Several papers regarding the major histocompatibility(MHC) complex class of proteins showing that a shirt worn by a man has apleasant odor to women with a different MHC profile but is repulsive towomen with a MHC profile similar to a man. Several studies have beenpublished on the scent of fear showing that subjects can discriminatebetween cotton pads worn by people where fear has been induced versuseither control cotton pads or cotton pads worn by individuals from ahappy-induced state. Longtime partners can detect and sense the chemicalsignature of their soul mate-thus releasing a calming effect. This studywas done with men sitting in a chair, blindfolded, and hooked up tophysiological equipment. Different people were then brought quietly intothe room and placed in close proximity to the blindfolded subject.Pronounced physiological measures of calmness and relaxation were seenwhen the subject's soul mate was brought in.

Depressive mood states of subjects improved from smelling a cotton padcontaining VOCs from subjects in a state of happiness. McClintock et al.showed that the smelling of VOCs obtained from the underarms of womeninduced a synchronization of the menstrual cycles of the participantssmelling the cotton pads with the menstrual cycle of the subjectswearing the pads. This phenomenon is well known among women livingtogether. Toddlers can recognize the chemical signature of their mothersand can readily discriminate between their mothers nursing pads versusanother lactating female.

An analytical instrument for detection of organic compounds is a GasChromatograph-Mass Spectrometer.

The present inventors have developed methods for the use of substratesthat capture VOCs, which were then used to release VOCs associated withvarious conditions of emotion, mood, or physiological conditions. Thepresent inventors human VOCs and demonstrate herein that different VOCprofiles are emitted off of human skin under different physiological andemotional states.

FIG. 1 shows a Ge-MS spectra of VOCs emanating off a shirt worn by afemale during ovulation and illustrates the wealth of VOCs emanating offa shirt from a female during ovulation. Each individual peak in thisspectrum represents a different VOC. VOCs were collected by incubatingan activated carbon strip in a clean and capped sterilized jarcontaining the shirt for 8 hours. The activated carbon strip wascarefully rinsed with an organic solvent and immediately injected into aGe-MS. All of the peaks between 20 and 30 minutes are absent in thespectrum of the same shirt worn by a woman far from ovulation.

FIG. 2 shows a Ge-MS spectra of the VOCs emanating off of a shirt wornby a subject in a neutral state before induction of fear (bottomspectrum) and after fear is induced (top spectrum) in the participant.Notice the presence of VOCs in the 24-28 minute range on the spectrum inthe fear state (top spectrum) versus a neutral state (bottom spectrum).

FIG. 3 shows two different Ge-MS traces overlaid on top of each otherdemonstrating the difference in chemical composition of human tears withno stimulus (light) and when sad (dark). The biggest change is seenbetween 18 and 24 minutes in the spectra.

Shown in the figures below are the different materials andinstrumentation used to validate and apply the concepts of thisinvention. An activated carbon strip, commonly used in forensic arsonanalysis, has the ability to absorb VOCs emanating from human skin. Theability of activated carbon to absorb VOCs arises from the extremelylarge surface area of the material. The present inventors have foundthat a normal amount of time for equilibrium to be established inabsorbing human VOCs is about 4 hours.

Activated carbon strips are commercially available from forensicssuppliers (like Albrayco Technologies, Inc.) and come in a 100-count jarthat has been flushed and sealed under inert gas (argon) to ensuresterility and purity.

FIG. 4 shows a housing for a solid phase microextraction (SPME) fiberthat can also be used to absorb VOCs from the body. SPME fibers arecomposed of several different organic polymers and are quite good atabsorbing VOCs. The time for equilibrium to be established in absorbinghuman VOCs is about 1 hour. FIG. 5 shows a close-up picture of the whiteSPME fiber coming out of the syringe needle.

Cotton gauze pads also have the ability to absorb VOCs from humans.Lichens are also a medium that can be used for this application-aslichens readily absorb VOCs. In summary, the materials mentioned in thisinvention with the ability to human absorb VOCs are activated carbonstrips, SPME fibers, cotton gauze pads, and lichens.

A Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS) instrument is theanalytical instrument of choice used to identify and quantify the VOCsabsorbed by the different types of material mentioned above. The SPMEfiber is inserted directly into the injection port of the GC-MS. Ifusing the activated carbon strip, a little bit of an organic solvent(like dichloromethane) is used to elute the VOCs off of the strip andthen injected into the GC-MS. In the lichen application, ground anddried lichen is rinsed several times with a small amount of organicsolvent and then injected into the GC-MS. In the application using acotton gauze pad, the pad is eluted off with a minimum amount of anorganic solvent and then analyzed by GC-MS.

While the scientific literature has recognized human VOCs, the presentinvention is based on the novel combination of new material science tothis VOC chemistry to create a novel device using novel methods, as wellas, a commercially viable application.

Briefly, one example of the present invention works as follows: a womanwould take an activated carbon strip that has been stored under inertconditions and would wear it in close proximity to the skin (likely inher bra strap) for around 8 hours. One non-limiting example of a goodtime to do this would be in the evening before retiring to bed. Theactivated carbon strip can be provided in, or be inserted into, a soft,generally non-absorbent material, pouch, sleeve or other retainer orcontainer that permits contact with, and absorption of, the VOCsemanating from the user into or onto the activated carbon strip. Thecarbon strip can be a made up of solely activated carbon, but can alsobe an activated carbon coating that is on, in, or about a material orsubstrate to which the activated carbon is attached, glued, coated,adhered, encapsulated, or otherwise retained. Upon waking in the morningthe woman would take the activated carbon strip and put the stripdirectly into a small fragrance atomizer with her favorite perfume(FIGS. 6-8) or other solvent that would be selected to maximize captureof the VOCs.

The strip would be left to soak in the atomizer for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,8, 9, or 10 minutes, upon which it would be taken out of the atomizerand discarded. If the activated carbon strip is left in the perfume fora prolonged time it will start to absorb the VOCs in the perfume. Uponremoving the activated carbon strip from the atomizer, it is discarded.Generally, these strips aren't reusable for this technology.

The perfume or solvent would be applied as normal-except that now herfavorite perfume contains her VOC chemical signature produced during,e.g., ovulation. Thus, the user can supplement or be added to the VOCsthat are normally produced, with the stored VOCs, thus enhancing oramplifying this signal. The present invention can be used to enhance herattractiveness by increasing men's testosterone levels (see FIG. 1).Based on stability studies, the VOCs in the perfume can degradedecompose over time, with an effective amount of VOCs generally storablefor about 3-4 weeks-upon which another new activated carbon strip wouldbe used and the process repeated.

FIG. 6 shows that once the VOCs from the body are absorbed onto theactivated carbon strip, it can then be put into a small atomizer and asmall amount of your favorite perfume/cologne is added. The organicsolvents in the perfume/cologne remove the VOCs from the activatedcarbon strip into the liquid perfume/cologne, which can then be storedand later applied on the skin as you would any other fragrance. Thus,the user is able to store and amplify their own chemical signature to aperfume/cologne and later deposit it on the user's skin. This methodsupplements the user's skin with your natural VOC profile capturedduring a particular physiological state (e.g., during ovulation,lactation, working out, sports activity, sexual activity, a wedding, achristening, a party, a business trip, a vacation, rock climbing, skydiving, roller coasters, bungee or cliff jumping) that can enhance theVOC signal given off (e.g., increase the likelihood of attracting a matein the ovulation case). Likewise, the user could seek to preventattracting the attention of another by selecting the applicable time andplace to capture VOCs.

FIG. 7 is a picture of the atomizer with the outside sleeve put on. Thisatomizer can be readily designed to look nice for a commercialapplication in which the activated carbon strips and the atomizer wouldbe sold together. FIG. 8 shows additional examples of a few of the manydifferent atomizers that could be used in conjunction with the presentinvention and in this example a specific commercial application.

This novel approach has several benefits over the commercially availablepheromone products currently on the market, because: (1) contrary topopular belief, bonafide human pheromones have not beendiscovered/reported in the scientific literature; (2) the pheromoneproducts on the market today contain large amounts of compounds likedihydroepiandrostenone (DHEA) and other steroids that, while there isevidence for these compounds being sex pheromones in swine, have notbeen validated in human subjects; (3) pheromones are usually not asingle VOC but, rather and cocktail of VOCs; and (4) this applicationcaptures the complete suite of VOCs coming off of a female under thisphysiological state and deposits the whole VOC profile into the perfume.

The Anti-Love Potion #9 Application. The idea for this application isthe same as the Love Potion #9 application except that a female wouldwear the activated carbon strip when she is far from ovulation, depositthis strip into her perfume atomizer, and use as desired. This ideacould be used, if desired, as an additional layer of contraceptiveprotection and would be applicable to women anywhere.

Additionally, an activated carbon strip can be worn during times ofsadness/crying to provide the same general class of chemical messengers(e.g., VOCs) as when far from ovulation. The user wears their own VOCsignature produced during a particular emotional or physiological state.

Male Major Histocompatibility (MHC) Protein Application. Of course, thepresent invention is not limited to females, but rather can be used toattract others. Based on the MHC protein research, men can use thepresent invention to increase their chances of finding a companion witha different MHC profile. Men would wear a carbon strip, preferably whenexercising, and would deposit the strip into a fragrance atomizercontaining their favorite cologne for about 5 minutes before taking outand discarding. The application is similar to the two femaleapplications mentioned above in that this is amplifying or accentuatingthe VOC profile of the individual wearing it. This is the men's versionof the Love Potion #9.

The Calming/Soothing Application. This application takes advantage ofVOCs released while in close proximity to one's soul mate to have acalming effect (presumably through transmission of VOCs through theair). In this application a person could put an activated carbon stripworn by their soul mate into their fragrance-thus providing the calmingVOCs of their soul mate to the individual when they are apart (e.g. on abusiness trip, or otherwise apart for an extended period of time). Inone aspect, the VOCs can be captured concurrently by both users tocapture the VOCs of both parties at the same time. Thus, the user canrecreate the common VOCs at a later time.

General Emotional State Application (e.g. Happiness, Confidence, etc.).In this application the VOCs are captured coming off of a person underany emotional state. Some other applications (not an exhaustive list, byany means) could be the following: (1) wearing the strip when feelingextra happy and applying it to your fragrance. Could be used when youneed a pick-me-up or perhaps to help with depressive mood states. (2)Confidence is an interesting mood state studied in the psychologicalliterature that could be harnessed by wearing a strip during these timesand applying it to your fragrance. This could be worn when going to ajob interview, giving a big presentation at work, at a general businessmeeting, etc. (3) VOCs could be collected when doing somethingadventurous (rock climbing, sky diving, roller coasters, bungee jumping,etc.), put in a fragrance, and worn when desired. (4) Anger is known toproduce a distinct VOC profile. Perhaps a useful application could befound for this.

The Essential Oil Application. The present invention is not limited onlyto putting the activated carbon strip into a fragrance atomizer andapplying it on the skin. Alternatively, the activated carbon strip couldbe dipped into an essential oil and then used in a diffuser. Analternative route to the atomizer/perfume route is the essentialoil/diffuser application. The activated carbon strip laden with humanVOCs could be put into a diffuser with an essential oil. The organiccompounds in the essential oil would elute the VOCs from the carbonstrip into the oil. The diffuser would then revolatilize these VOCs intothe air. An application for this route would be for a spouse to place anactivated carbon strip worn by their soul mate into the diffuser torelease VOCs that have a calming, anti-anxiety effect. A mother couldput an activated carbon strip of her scent into a diffuser located inher child's room (in conjunction with an essential oil like lavender) tocalm the child while sleeping. There are many other applications thatcould be used with this essential oil diffuser depending on theemotional or physiological state captured by the activated carbon strip.

Customized Skin Care Products Applications. Human VOCs absorbed onto amaterial like an activated carbon strip could lead to other applicationsbesides putting it in a fragrance atomizer or an essential oil diffuser.The VOCs from a person could be used to create an individualizedpersonal care line. The person could send in their activated carbonstrip worn under a certain condition (e.g. a female during ovulation),which would then be extracted with small amounts of the organic solventsused in personal care products. The VOC extract could then beincorporated into different personal care products that would bedistinct for the individual.

Medical Diagnostics Application. Using the present invention the user isable to capture human VOCs that can be applied to the area ofnon-invasive medical diagnostics. Some have shown that certain VOCs areemitted from the body under different disease states including diabetes,high cholesterol, cancer, liver disease, Alzheimer's, schizophrenia, andseveral others. Hundreds of biomarker compounds for these medicalconditions and others are known in the scientific literature. The stateof the art in the field of medical diagnostics is being able to detectdisease states early enough without needing to perform surgery in orderto diagnose.

The medical application has a user wear the activated carbon strip andthen run it through a GC-MS using a customized method that has beenprogrammed to detect all of the VOCs in the literature that areindicative of a disease state. If one of these compounds is detected, analert is set when a certain VOC is detected by the GC-MS, that wasdetected and the disease state associated with that VOC. The results ofthis method would then trigger further tests aimed at confirmationand/or an initial direction for treatment or a change in treatment. Oneaspect of this technology is that it is a non-invasive early detectionmedical diagnostic application that could help to identify disease stateat very early stages and help to save lives. The VOC profile of anindividual changes right as the disease state is forming that can't beseen in normal cell culture assays because the cellular morphology hasnot become evident yet.

Another application of this technology would be to have a portal that aperson would stand in with a Ge-MS instrument attached to the portal.The design of such an instrument would be similar to the trace explosiveportals designed by Smiths Detection and others. A VOC detection portal(such as the portal particle analyzer) can be used as an early screeningtool in doctor's offices and hospitals for early disease detection. Thisinstrument would have tremendous advantages over animals capable ofdetecting VOCs in disease or the other technologies currently available.

Thus, the present invention can use several different mediums to absorbVOCs, which can then be deployed by a user at a specific time and placeto harness emotional/physiological states and in medical diagnostics.

It is contemplated that any embodiment discussed in this specificationcan be implemented with respect to any method, kit, reagent, orcomposition of the invention, and vice versa. Furthermore, compositionsof the invention can be used to achieve methods of the invention.

It will be understood that particular embodiments described herein areshown by way of illustration and not as limitations of the invention.The principal features of this invention can be employed in variousembodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Thoseskilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no morethan routine experimentation, numerous equivalents to the specificprocedures described herein. Such equivalents are considered to bewithin the scope of this invention and are covered by the claims.

All publications and patent applications mentioned in the specificationare indicative of the level of skill of those skilled in the art towhich this invention pertains. All publications and patent applicationsare herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if eachindividual publication or patent application was specifically andindividually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

The use of the word “a” or “an” when used in conjunction with the term“comprising” in the claims and/or the specification may mean “one,” butit is also consistent with the meaning of “one or more,” “at least one,”and “one or more than one.” The use of the term “or” in the claims isused to mean “and/or” unless explicitly indicated to refer toalternatives only or the alternatives are mutually exclusive, althoughthe disclosure supports a definition that refers to only alternativesand “and/or.” Throughout this application, the term “about” is used toindicate that a value includes the inherent variation of error for thedevice, the method being employed to determine the value, or thevariation that exists among the study subjects.

As used in this specification and claim(s), the words “comprising” (andany form of comprising, such as “comprise” and “comprises”), “having”(and any form of having, such as “have” and “has”), “including” (and anyform of including, such as “includes” and “include”) or “containing”(and any form of containing, such as “contains” and “contain”) areinclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional, unrecitedelements or method steps. In embodiments of any of the compositions andmethods provided herein, “comprising” may be replaced with “consistingessentially of” or “consisting of”. As used herein, the phrase“consisting essentially of” requires the specified integer(s) or stepsas well as those that do not materially affect the character or functionof the claimed invention. As used herein, the term “consisting” is usedto indicate the presence of the recited integer (e.g., a feature, anelement, a characteristic, a property, a method/process step or alimitation) or group of integers (e.g., feature(s), element(s),characteristic(s), propertie(s), method/process steps or limitation(s))only.

The term “or combinations thereof” as used herein refers to allpermutations and combinations of the listed items preceding the term.For example, “A, B, C, or combinations thereof” is intended to includeat least one of: A, B, C, AB, AC, BC, or ABC, and if order is importantin a particular context, also BA, CA, CB, CBA, BCA, ACB, BAC, or CAB.Continuing with this example, expressly included are combinations thatcontain repeats of one or more item or term, such as BB, AAA, AB, BBC,AAABCCCC, CBBAAA, CABABB, and so forth. The skilled artisan willunderstand that typically there is no limit on the number of items orterms in any combination, unless otherwise apparent from the context.

As used herein, words of approximation such as, without limitation,“about”, “substantial” or “substantially” refers to a condition thatwhen so modified is understood to not necessarily be absolute or perfectbut would be considered close enough to those of ordinary skill in theart to warrant designating the condition as being present. The extent towhich the description may vary will depend on how great a change can beinstituted and still have one of ordinary skilled in the art recognizethe modified feature as still having the required characteristics andcapabilities of the unmodified feature. In general, but subject to thepreceding discussion, a numerical value herein that is modified by aword of approximation such as “about” may vary from the stated value byat least ±1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 12 or 15%.

All of the compositions and/or methods disclosed and claimed herein canbe made and executed without undue experimentation in light of thepresent disclosure. While the compositions and methods of this inventionhave been described in terms of preferred embodiments, it will beapparent to those of skill in the art that variations may be applied tothe compositions and/or methods and in the steps or in the sequence ofsteps of the method described herein without departing from the concept,spirit and scope of the invention. All such similar substitutes andmodifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to bewithin the spirit, scope and concept of the invention as defined by theappended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for aiding mood, emotion, orphysiological state comprising: a substrate that is capable of capturingor absorbing one or more organic compounds from a subject having a firstphysiologic or emotional state at a first time; and an element that iscapable of controlling the capture of the one or more organic compoundsat a first time, or the release of the one or more organic compoundsfrom the substrate at a second time, wherein exposure to an effectiveamount of the organic compounds changes the mood, emotion, orphysiological state of the subject.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe one or more organic compounds from the subject having a firstphysiologic or emotional state are released from the subject at or aboutbody temperature.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the physiologicor emotional state to capture the organic compounds is selected from atleast one of ovulation, lactation, working out, sports activity, sexualactivity, a wedding, a christening, a party, a business trip, avacation, rock climbing, sky diving, roller coasters, bungee or cliffjumping.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more organiccompounds are volatile organic compounds.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the one or more organic compounds are selected from at least oneor more sex pheromones, alarm pheromones, modulator pheromones, trailpheromones or signature odors.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thesubject is a human.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the substratecan be reused.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the substrate ispositioned on or about the skin at the first time for sufficient time tocapture the one or more organic compounds in an amount sufficient to benoticeable in the immediate surrounding of the subject upon release fromthe substrate.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the substrate isselected from a carbon strip, a natural fiber, a synthetic fiber, acellulose, a polymer, a carbon impregnated fiber, a mesh, a filter, asolid-phase microextraction fiber, a dried leaf or lichen, or a cottongauze.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus furthercomprises a housing comprising a storage area for the substrate, a powersource, a heating or cooling element controller, a sprayer, an atomizer,a perfume or cologne, one or more fragrances, oils, or solvents, apropellant, a vaporizer, or a fan.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe element for the capture or the release of the one or more organiccompounds is exposed to a heater, cooler, fragrance, oil, cream, orsolvent to release the one or more organic compounds from the substrate.12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more organic compoundsare released by or with a fragrance, oil, cream, lotion, shampoo, orsolvent from the substrate.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein two ormore substrates comprising organic compounds obtained from differentmoods, emotions, or physiologic states are combined prior to release.14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein two or more substrates comprisingorganic compounds obtained from the same mood, emotion, or physiologicstate are combined prior to release.
 15. A method of determining theperformance of one or more organic compounds that aid in a mood, anemotion, or a physiological state, the method comprising: a) measuringthe levels of partial or total organic compounds from a subject undernormal physiological conditions at a first time; b) capturing partial ortotal organic compounds on a substrate from the subject under differentphysiological conditions at a second time; c) exposing a first subset ofsubjects to the partial or total organic compounds from a subject undernormal physiological conditions at a first time, and a second subset ofthe subjects to the partial or total organic compounds on a substratefrom the subject under different physiological conditions at a secondtime; and d) determining if the partial or total organic compounds on asubstrate from the subject under different physiological conditions at asecond time shows a change in mood, emotion or physiological state thatis statistically significant as compared to that of the subject exposedto the partial or total organic compounds from a subject under normalphysiological conditions at a first time.
 16. The method of claim 15,wherein the step of capturing the partial or total organic compounds ona substrate from the subject under different physiological conditions ata second time is conducted during a specific physiologic or emotionalstate, wherein the physiologic or emotional state is selected from atleast one of ovulation, lactation, working out, sports activity, sexualactivity, a wedding, a christening, a party, a business trip, avacation, rock climbing, sky diving, roller coasters, bungee or cliffjumping.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the one or more organiccompounds are volatile organic compounds.
 18. The method of claim 15,wherein the one or more organic compounds are selected from at least oneor more sex pheromones, alarm pheromones, modulator pheromones, trailpheromones or signature odors.
 19. The method of claim 15, wherein thesubject is a human.
 20. The method of claim 15, wherein the substrate ispositioned on or about the skin at the first time for sufficient time tocapture the one or more organic compounds in an amount sufficient to benoticeable in the immediate surrounding of the subject upon release fromthe substrate.
 21. The method of claim 15, wherein the substrate isselected from a carbon strip, a natural fiber, a synthetic fiber, acellulose, a polymer, a carbon impregnated fiber, a mesh, a filter, asolid-phase microextraction fiber, a dried leaf or lichen, or a cottongauze.
 22. The method of claim 15, wherein an apparatus for use in themethod is defined further as comprising a housing comprising a storagearea for the substrate, a power source, a heating or cooling elementcontroller, a sprayer, an atomizer, a perfume or cologne, one or morefragrances, oils, or solvents, a propellant, a vaporizer, or a fan. 23.The method of claim 15, wherein the one or more organic compounds arereleased by or with a fragrance, oil, cream, or solvent.
 24. The methodof claim 15, wherein the one or more organic compounds from two or moresubjects are captured concurrently.
 25. A substrate that is adapted tocapture or absorb one or more organic compounds from a subject at orabout body temperature, the subject having a first physiologic oremotional state at a first time, wherein the substrate is selected froma carbon strip, a natural fiber, a synthetic fiber, a cellulose, apolymer, a carbon impregnated fiber, a mesh, a filter, a solid-phasemicroextraction fiber, a dried leaf or lichen, or a cotton gauze, andthe one or more organic compounds are selected from at least one or moresex pheromones, alarm pheromones, modulator pheromones, trail pheromonesor signature odors.
 26. The substrate of claim 25, wherein the substrateis reusable.
 27. The substrate of claim 25, wherein the one or moreorganic compounds are released from the substrate by a fragrance, oil,cream, or solvent.